Gabrielle McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to put on record that it is 10.37 a.m. now. We have been here since 10 a.m. but have not yet done any of the business that we are here to do. We had a private meeting beforehand which I fail to see the reason for if we are now discussing what was discussed in private. It is very unfair to point fingers at civil servants who are here and are only doing their job. That has happened before and I do not think it is fair that elected representatives would do that. I must say that I joined this committee last year thinking that it was a non-political committee that had a job of work to do. Today's meeting is very political and a lot of people here are playing to the press gallery. It is now 10.38 a.m. and we should start. That is all I have to say.